Pressurized liquid-filtering apparatus

ABSTRACT

A vessel having a cover connected thereto by a unique hinge contains a basket supported filter bag for filtering liquid under pressure that enters the mouth of the bag through an inlet in the cover and is discharged through an outlet in the bottom of the vessel. The hinge is provided with a liquid inlet passage which communicates with a liquid supply plumbing connection which is permanent and need not be disturbed when the cover is arriving open, or closed. The cover contains a manifold that serves not only as a liquid inlet, but also as a handle. Annular seals caused by the rim of the basket are located on the annular wall of the body of the vessel so that when the cover is simply closed and clamped, leakage of the pressurized liquid is prevented above the bag, as well as from the vessel itself.

United States Patent Smith et al.

[54] PRESSURIZED LIQUID-FILTERING APPARATUS [72] Inventors: Edward A.Smith, Glenville; Arnold V.

Baldwin, Wilton, both of Conn.

[73] Assignee: GAF Corporation, New York, N.Y.

[22] Filed: May 19, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 38,784

[52] US. Cl ..2l0/232, 210/251, 210/445, 210/451, 210/452, 210/453,55/373, 55/376,

[51] Int. Cl ..B0ld 29/10 [58] Field of Search..................210/232,251, 445, 450, 451, 210/452, 453, 242; 55/502, 373, 374, 376, 378,

[56] Reierenoes Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,851,164 9/1958 Morino ..210/453 X 2,569,958 10/1951 Struve et al 2,836,045 5/1958 Smith ..210/232X 1 Feb. 8, 1972 Olson ..210/232 Primary Examiner-Samih N. ZaharnaAssistant Examiner-Frederick F. Calvetti Attorney-Samson B. Leavitt andMartin Smolowitz [57] ABSTRACT A vessel having a cover connected theretoby a unique hinge contains a basket supported filter bag for filteringliquid under pressure that enters the mouth of the bag through an inletin the cover and is discharged through an outlet in the bottom of thevessel. The hinge is provided with a liquid inlet passage whichcommunicates with a liquid supply plumbing connection which is permanentand need not be disturbed when the cover is arriving open, or closed.The cover contains a manifold that serves not only as a liquid inlet,but also as a handle. Annular seals caused by the rim of the basket arelocated on the annular wall of the body of the vessel so that when thecover is simply closed and clamped, leakage of the pressurized liquid isprevented above the bag, as well as from the vessel itself.

13 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENIED FEB am:

SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTORS Edward A. Smith Arnold V. Baldwin I rromvevmammrm am y 3.640.392

SHEET 2 BF 2 Pre ssurized LlqUld Supply INVENTORS Edward A. Smith ArnoldV. Baldwin ATTORNEY PRESSURIZED LIQUID-FILTERING APPARATUS Thisinvention relates to pressurized liquid-filtering apparatus, and moreparticularly to filter bag pressure vessels.

In the past pressurized liquid-filtering vessels comprised liquidfilling supply pipelines which required disconnect couplings, flexiblehoses, or other types of means for manually disconnecting the liquidinlet line in order to open the top of the vessel. Such disconnectionsand connections of the plumbing for gaining access to the filter baginvolved considerable downtime of the apparatus. The old apparatus wasalso expensive because of the sealing arrangements which requiredgroove-machining of the cover and adjoining parts to control unwantedleakage of the liquid being filtered.

The main object of this invention is to solve such problems of the priorart by the provision of a permanent plumbing connection for thepressurized liquid which does not interfere with easy opening of thevessel for inspection, replacement of the filter bag, and cleaning.

Another object is to provide pressurized liquid-filtering apparatus thatis simple in construction and use, affords quick access to the filterchamber between filtering cycles, and is inexpensive to make andoperate.

A further object is to provide a filter bag pressure vessel havingimproved liquid O-ring sealing means between the cover and the rims ofthe bag and body of the vessel, comprising a removable multichannelflange member on the basket for the O-rings.

Briefly according to the invention there is provided a liquidpressurized vessel for filtering liquid through a basket backed filterbag therein, comprising a saving cover having a passage for conductingthe liquid into the mouth of the bag from a hinge member through whichthe liquid flows into the vessel. Thus, the cover can be closed andopened without disturbing the external plumbing by means of which liquidunder pressure is supplied to the vessel during the filtering cycle.

in one modification the hinge itself constitutes a liquid inlet waythrough the axis thereof, whereas in another preferred modification theliquid inlet way is established and sealed adjacent the actual hingeupon closure of the cover. In any case the hinged cover contains amanifold that serves as a hinge member, inlet pipe and handle asintegral parts.

A unique sealing means is provided for preventing liquid leakage fromthe joint when the cover is closed, as well from one side of the rim ofthe filter bag to the other directly under the cover during thefiltering operation, comprising a removable flange member havingmultiple O-ring sealing channels. The flange member constitutes the rimof the basket in which the filter bag nests, and is removable from thevessel with the basket and bag.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is fragmentary view namely in perspective with parts broken awayof a filter bag pressure vessel illustrative of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a similar view of a modification.

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a vessel comprising a hollow body orshell 12 having an outlet 14 in the concavoconvex bottom thereof, and acover 16 hinged by a transverse pin 18 to a lateral bracket 20 that issecured to the upper side of shell 12. The top of the body 12 isprovided with an integral annular rim 22 having onwardly and outwardlyextending flanges 24 and 26, respectively; and a flat upper annularsurface 28. Resting on the surface 28 is a multichannel ring or flangemember 30 having a downwardly extending inner flange 32 which fits theinner annular surface of the body flange 24.

The flange 32 is connected to and supports the upper rim of a basket 34comprising a screen for backing and restraining a filter bag 36 therein,having an upper ring or head 38 about which the material of the bag isbound so as to have an inner annular depending flap 40. The ring orflange member 30 is provided with an inwardly and upwardly facing groove42 in which the bag-material-bound ring or head 36 nests when forceddownwardly by the smooth under surface 44 of the cover 16. The flangemember 30 is also formed to provide a downwardly opening channel 46 anan upwardly opening channel 48 in which concentric inner and outerO-rings 50 and 52, respectively, are disposed. The O-rings are composedof rubber or soft plastic, and are somewhat greater in width orthickness than the depth of the channels, so that when the cover 16 isclosed, they are compressed between the smooth under surface 44 of cover16 and the smooth annular surface 28 to form a good seal. The bottom ofinner O-ring is also pressed against the flat annular surface 28 offlange 24 while the top O-ring is pressed against the flat annularsurface 44 on cover 16. Stop bars 76, in turn, keep the basket 34properly spaced from the cylindrical wall of the body 12, so that theliquid after being filtered can flow freely downwardly in th resultingcylindrical space.

A spacer plate 54 is mounted on the bracket 20 under liquid inletmanifold 56 of cover 16. The plate 54 is provided with a liquid inletpipe 58 which is connected to pressurized liquid supply 59 in internalcommunication with a corresponding hole 60 in the plate 54, so that whenthe cover 16 is closed liquid under pressure flows along the path ofarrow 62 from inlet pipe 58 into manifold 56. An O-ring 64 located in anannular groove 66 in the plate 54 at the edge of the hole 60,

prevents any leakage of the pressurized liquid in such area.

The liquid to be filtered enters the filtering chamber through a centralopening 68 in the cover 16 and then flows into the open mouth of filterbag 36. The manifold 56 is rectangular in cross section and extendssomewhat beyond a front end wall 70 of the liquid passageway, to providea convenient handle 72 for lifting the cover 16. The rear end of suchmanifold is closed by a rear end wall 74. A stop bar 76 and centeringguides 78 assure proper closure of the cover with respect to the annularsealing means on the body 12 under the cover 16, in which position theparts are clamped by holddown bolts 80 on the body 12, in correspondingrecesses 82 in the cover 16.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a modification in which the cover 84is pivoted to the body 86 of the vessel 88 by jointed pipe elbows 90 and92. The elbow 92 is stationary and fixed with respect to hinge brackets94, 94 mounted on the side of the upper wall of the body 86. HingeBrackets 96, 96 are secured to the cover 84 and connected to thecorresponding stationary brackets by hinge pins 98, 98, the longitudinalaxes of which coincide with each other and axis of the rotation of elbow90 when the cover 84 is swung open, or closed.

Stationary elbow 92 is permanently connected to the pressurized liquidsupply 93, while the elbow 90 is connected by a short pipe 100 and anelbow 102 to the central hole 104 in cover 84. Thus, the pipe 100 servesalso as a handle for the cover 84. Clamps 106 are provided for securingthe cover 84 to the body 86 during the filtering cycle. The sealingassembly between the cover 84 and top of the body 86 preferably is likethat shown and described in connection with FlG. l.

The advantages of this top filling pressure is that permanentconventional plumbing can be employed. The arrangement of sealing andmanifold head or top cover of the vessel, allows easy access by thesimple hinge arrangement, allowing the cover to be raised and loweredthus exposing the entire inside of the vessel. Further advantage is thata minimum of components are employed: vessel, restrainer basket andfilter bag, in a simple, clean arrangement, so that the inside of thevessel shell is smooth and fully exposed, thus greatly facilitatingcleaning. The advantage of containing contaminates in the bag for easydisposal is a nucleus of the invention. Added advantages are ease ofdisposal of contaminate, minimum downtime in changeover, minimum effortin time, labor and clean liquids to clean the vessel.

Employing fixed spacers and a solid rim on the top of body or shell ofthe vessel provides the dual function of centering the restrainer basketin a fixed position, plus acting as a stop for the cover in the closedposition. The stop bar function is predetermined and fixed to insureeffective and even sealing pressure on the seals (O-rings).

Conventional gasketing requires costly machining of grooves in the coverand shell of the vessel which is eliminated by this invention. Designedinto the flange area of the restrainer basket are grooves to retainO-ring seals. This is accomplished by a simple, inexpensive method ofmanufacturing, such as, stamping, hydro-forming, spinning, etc.

Not only are the O-rings contained in the restrainer basket, but a ledgeis also provided on the ID. of the flanged area of the basket to containthe open end of the filter bag. The filter bag is supported by thesemirigid, or rigid ring forming the open neck of the bag. The pressureand weight of the liquid flowing in the bag is sufficient to causeeffective sealing of the bag to the flange ledge thus preventingbypassing or leakage of liquid. ln this manner the top O-ring preventsthe liquid from bypassing, but a small ring of contaminate tends tobuild up on the flange between the bag neck and the O-ring. To preventthis and to insure that all contaminates are contained in the bag, thebag ledge is designed so that the cover of the vessel exerts a slightpressure on the bag neck.

The vessel is made ready for operation by inserting the restrainerbasket containing the filter bag and lowering the cover. Swing boltswith bar knobs are adjusted to hold down the cover. The amount ofsealing compression is regulated by the centering" stop bars, thereforetightening of the bolts can be accomplished rapidly and confidently byhand to effect sealing without damage to the seals by over or uneventightening.

The invention lends itself to complete vessel ranges accommodating fromminiature to multibag applications as well as variations within a givenvessel.

A vessel normally accepting a filter bag having 3 sq. ft. of area may bemodified internally to contain bags having 6 or as much as 9 sq. ft. ofarea, with the bag maintaining a simple sleeve or core shape.

This can be accomplished by doubling or tipling back on itself, the wallof the restrainer basket. An appropriately longer bag will then drapeitself over the walls. Subsequent to this, multiholes in a largerdiameter vessel could contain an appropriate number of restrainerbaskets of either, for example, 3, 6 or 9 sq. ft. area to obtain a largevariety of combinations of filter areas in a minimum of space. Eventhough a multivessel is employed, a single 3 sq. ft. area bag could beused in the vessel if desired. The O-ring seals in the restrainer wouldin such case effectively seal off the ports not in use.

What claimed is:

l. Pressurized liquid-filtering apparatus comprising, in combination,

a vessel having a liquid-filtering chamber provided with a cylindricalwall and a liquid outlet in the bottom thereof;

a cover hinged to said wall for closing the top of said vessel andproviding ready and complete access to the filtering chamber when thecover is swung open;

hinge means comprising means for conducting liquid under pressure to thetop of such filtering chamber through an opening in said cover when thelatter is closed;

permanent external plumbing connection means for supplying liquid underpressure to said hinge liquid-conducting means,

a basket comprising an annular upper flange member for supporting thebasket in such chamber on the top of said cylindrical wall with auniform cylindrical space between such wall and the basket, said flangemember having an inwardly and upwardly facing groove therein,

a filter bag having a ring bound in the upper edge thereof disposed insaid basket with such upper edge partially nested in such groove in theflange member,

multiple O-rings associated with said flange member for sealing theannular space between the inner surface of said cover and the topsurface of said wall when the cover is clamped-closed, and

manually operable means for clamping said cover on the top of saidcylindrical wall, with the upper edge of the bag compressed between thecover and flange member.

2. The invention as defined by claim 1, in which said O-rings aredisposed in concentric relationship to each other and to said flangemember, with an annular portion of the latter separating said O-rings.

3. The invention as defined by claim 2, in which said flange membercomprises a downwardly opening channel containing one O-ring in contactwith the top of said wall adjacent the inner edge thereof, and anupwardly opening channel containing the other O-ring in contact with theunder surface of the cover when closed, and

the entire O-ring and flange member assembly is removable with thebasket and bag when the cover is open, yet provides highly effectiveseal when the cover is closed and clamped in such position.

4. The invention as defined by claim 3, in which said cover comprises aliquid inlet manifold having a handle portion at the inner end thereof,and a hinge portion at the outer end thereof.

5. The invention as defined by claim 1, in which said hinge meansincludes a stationary pipe elbow and a movable pipe elbow connected tothe stationary elbow by a joint permitting the cover to be swung openand closed about the axis of the hinge means without breaking suchjoint,and

a short pipe and elbow connecting the opening in the cover to saidmovable elbow.

6. A vessel for filtering liquid under pressure comprising, in

combination:

a hollow body having a cylindrical sidewall merging into aconcavo-convex lower portion provided with an outlet at the bottomthereof,

a cover for the top of said body having a central liquid inlet therein;

hinge means connecting said cover to said body for swinging movement ofthe cover upwardly and lateral about a fixed axis to completelyswing-open the top of said body;

clamp means for securing said cover in closed position on said body;

a removable filter bag in said body opening upwardly to the liquid inletin said cover;

plumbing means for delivering liquid to be filtered under pressurethrough such liquid opening in the cover, comprising a stationary elbowhaving one arm concentric with such fixed axis, a swingable elbow havinga corresponding arm that is also concentric with such axis, andseal-means connecting said arms of the stationary and swingable elbowswhereby said cover can be opened and closed by a swinging movement aboutsuch axis without breaking said seal means upon release of said clampmeans and opening of the cover to provide access to said filter bag.

7. The invention as defined by claim 6, in which said cover comprises ashort pipe that serves as a handle a liquid inlet passage connecting theother arm of said swingable elbow with the liquid inlet in said cover.

8. The invention as defined by claim 1, including a screen-bracket forrestraining said filter bag comprising an upper rim connected thereto,said rim having a horizontal annular flange having a downwardly facinginner channel and an upwardly facing outer channel overlapping theannular flat top surface of said body,

said body having an internal annular top flange the inner wall surfaceof which fits the corresponding lateral surface of said rim,

a liquid sealing O-ring located in each of said annular channels foreffective sealing contact with the under surface of said cover and theinner-upper edge of said body flange, respectively, when the cover isclosed and secured by said clamp means.

9. The invention as defined by claim 8, in which said rim is providedwith an annular L-shaped groove between said inner channel and the innerwall of said rim, which groove faces inwardly and upwardly, and

said filter bag comprises an upper bead having an inner downwardlydepending flap,

whereby said bead sets snugly in such groove when the bag is located insaid basket, and provides an additional seal when the cover is closed.

10. The invention as defined by claim 9, in which means are alsoprovided between said cover and body for limiting the downward movementof said cover with respect to said rim flange for protecting the latterwhen said clamp means are tightened, and for also guiding the coververtically as the latter is finally closed.

H. The invention as defined by claim 10, in which a hinge bracket ismounted on the vessel having a spacer plate for separating the backportion of the under surface of the cover a predetermined distance fromthe top of said annular wall when the cover is clamped closed,

said plate having a hole in communication with a corresponding hole inthe cover;

means including an O-ring for sealing the joint between such holes whenthe cover is closed;

a manifold mounted on said cover having a longitudinal passage forcarrying liquid under pressure from such hole to the central opening insaid cover;

said manifold comprising a handle for said cover, and a hinge membertherefor; and

a transverse pin connecting said hinge member to said hinge bracket,permitting the cover to be swung upwardly and backwardly about the axisof said pin.

12. The invention as defined by claim H, in which a stop bar and covercentering guides are provided between the body and cover adjacent thefront thereof.

13. A sealing O-ring and basket assembly in combination with apressurized liquid-filtering vessel having a top cover hinged to thebody thereof, comprising a flange member having contiguous concentricindividual upwardly and downwardly facing channels, said channels beingprovided with upwardly and downwardly facing grooves and a third groovefor carrying an enlarged bead constituting an upper rim of a filter bag,said cover being constructed and arranged to coact with said enlargedbead and said third groove, corresponding O-rings carried in saidchannels for sealing contact with the undersurface of said cover and thetop surface of a cylindrical wall of said body when said cover isclosed, and a basket comprising a screen depending from said flangemember into the filter chamber of said body for containing a filter bagtherein, whereby the assembly can be manually inserted in and removedfrom the body as a unit when the cover is opened.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO.

DATED February 8, 1972 INVENTOR(S) Edward A. Smith and Arnold V. BaldwinIt is certified that error appears in the aboveAdentified patentand'that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below: IN THEDRAWINGS Change the lead lines of ref identify the brackets havin erencenumerals 94 to In Fig. 2:

g hinge pins 98, in accordance with the Pressurized Liquid Supplyfollowing corrected drawing:

and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below':

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent: No. 3 ,640.392 Dated February 2L 1972 Page 2 Inventor(s) Edward A. Smith et al.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent IN THECLAIMS Claim 8 line 2 delete "screen-bracket" and replace withscreen-basket I Signed and Scaled this twenty-third Day Of Setember 1975[SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH c. MASON c. MARSHALL DAN N I [Hg -Hiver (mnmissiunvr of Parents andTrademarks

1. Pressurized liquid-filtering apparatus comprising, in combination, avessel having a liquid-filtering chamber provided with a cylindricalwall and a liquid outlet in the bottom thereof; a cover hinged to saidwall for closing the top of said vessel and providing ready and completeaccess to the filtering chamber when the cover is swung open; hingemeans comprising means for conducting liquid under pressure to the topof such filtering chamber through an opening in said cover when thelatter is closed; permanent external plumbing connection means forsupplying liquid under pressure to said hinge liquid-conducting means, abasket comprising an annular upper flange member for supporting thebasket in such chamber on the top of said cylindrical wall with auniform cylindrical space between such wall and the basket, said flangemember having an inwardly and upwardly facing groove therein, a filterbag having a ring bound in the upper edge thereof disposed in saidbasket with such upper edge partially nested in such groove in theflange member, multiple O-rings associated with said flange member forsealing the annular space between the inner surface of said cover andthe top surface of said wall when the cover is clamped-closed, andmanually operable means for clamping said cover on the top of saidcylindrical wall, with the upper edge of the bag compressed between thecover and flange member.
 2. The invention as defined by claim 1, inwhich said O-rings are disposed in concentric relationship to each otherand to said flange member, with an annular portion of the latterseparating said O-rings.
 3. The invention as defined by claim 2, inwhich said flange member comprises a downwardly opening channelcontaining one O-ring in contact with the top of said wall adjacent theinner edge thereof, and an upwardly opening channel containing the otherO-ring in contact with the under surface of the cover when closed, andthe entire O-ring and flange member assembly is removable with thebasket and bag when the cover is open, yet provides highly effectiveseal when the cover is closed and clamped in such position.
 4. Theinvention as defined by claim 3, in which said cover comprises a liquidinlet manifold having a handle portion at the inner end thereof, and ahinge portion at the outer end thereof.
 5. The invention as defined byclaim 1, in which said hinge means includes a stationary pipe elbow anda movable pipe elbow connected to the stationary elbow by a jointpermitting the cover to be swung open and closed about the axis of thehinge means without breaking such joint, and a short pipe and elbowconnecting the opening in the cover to said movable elbow.
 6. A vesselfor filtering liquid under pressure comprising, in combination: a hollowbody having a cylindrical sidewall merging into a concavo-convex lowerportion provided with an outlet at the bottom thereof; a cover for thetop of said body having a central liquid inlet therein; hinge meansconnecting said cover to said body for swinging movement of the coverupwardly and lateral about a fixed axis to completely swing-open the topof said body; clamp means for securing said cover in closed position onsaid body; a removable filter bag in said body opening upwardly to theliquid inlet in said cover; plumbing means for delivering liquid to befiltered under pressure through such liquid opening in the cover,comprising a stationary elbow having one arm concentric with such fixedaxis, a swingable elbow having a corresponding arm that is alsoconcentric with such axis, and seal-means connecting said arms of thestationary and swingable elbows whereby said cover can be opened andclosed by a swinging movement about such axis without breaking said sealmeans upon release of said clamp means and opening of the cover toprovide access to said filter bag.
 7. The invention as defined by claim6, in which said cover comprises a short pipe that serves as a handle aliquid inlet passage connecting the other arm of said swingable elbowwith the liquid inlet in said cover.
 8. The invention as defined byclaim 1, including a screen-bracket for restraining said filter bagcomprising an upper rim connected thereto, said rim having a horizontalannular flange having a downwardly facing inner channel and an upwardlyfacing outer channel overlapping the annular flat top surface of saidbody, said body having an internal annular top flange the inner wallsurface of which fits the corresponding lateral surface of said rim, aliquid sealing O-ring located in each of said annular channels foreffective sealing contact with the under surface of said cover and theinner-upper edge of said body flange, respectively, when the cover isclosed and secured by said clamp means.
 9. The invention as defined byclaim 8, in which said rim is provided with an annular L-shaped groovebetween said inner channel and the inner wall of said rim, which groovefaces inwardly and upwardly, and said filter bag comprises an upper beadhaving an inner downwardly depending flap, whereby said bead sets snuglyin such groove when the bag is located in said basket, and provides anadditional seal when the cover is closed.
 10. The invention as definedby claim 9, in which means are also provided between said cover and bodyfor limiting the downward movement of said cover with respect to saidrim flange for protecting the latter when said clamp means aretightened, and for also guiding the cover vertically as the latter isfinally closed.
 11. The invention as defined by claim 10, in which ahinge bracket is mounted on the vessel having a spacer plate forseparating the back portion of the under surface of the cover apredetermined distance from the top of said annular wall when the coveris clamped closed, said plate having a hole in communication with acorresponding hole in the cover; means including an O-ring for sealingthe joint between such holes when the cover is closed; a manifoldmounted on said cover having a longitudinal passage for carrying liquidunder pressure from such hole to the central opening in said cover; saidmanifold comprising a handle for said cover, and a hinge membertherefor; and a transverse pin connecting said hinge member to saidhinge bracket, permitting the cover to be swung upwardly and backwardlyabout the axis of said pin.
 12. The invention as defined by claim 11, inwhich a stop bar and cover centering guides are provided between thebody and cover adjacent the front thereof.
 13. A sealing O-ring andbasket assembly in combination with a pressurized liquid-filteringvessel having a top cover hinged to the body thereof, comprising aflange member having contiguous concentric individual upwardly anddownwardly facing channels, said channels being provided with upwardlyand downwardly facing grooves and a third groove for carrying anenlarged bead constituting an upper rim of a filter bag, said coverbeing constructed and arranged to coact with said enlarged bead and saidthird groove, corresponding O-rings carried in said channels for sealingcontact with the undersurface of said cover and the top surface of acylindrical Wall of said body when said cover is closed, and a basketcomprising a screen depending from said flange member into the filterchamber of said body for containing a filter bag therein, whereby theassembly can be manually inserted in and removed from the body as a unitwhen the cover is opened.